The Mtn. will broadcast 30 Mountain West football games in HD this fall. There’s just one catch. They might not all be available for Denver area Comcast subscribers.

The MWC’s own network is not a fulltime HD operation and as such, has to share channel designations with other outlets, said The Mtn. general manager Kim Carver.

The subject of television seems to take up less time and worry with each succeeding year at the MWC Football Media Day. The Mtn. brought a large contingent of producers and on-air personalities for media day activities.

In a related note, MWC commissioner Craig Thompson said there was a chance two men’s basket5ball games could be air their season nationally on CBS.

It didn’t go unnoticed at the Mountain West Conference summer meetings that New Mexico’s Rocky Long is the last man standing from the charter group.

Long became the dean of MWC football coaches when Sonny Lubick was forced out at Colorado State last winter. Lubick had a one-year “deanship” when he took over the title from ex-Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry, who inherited it from BYU’s legendary LaVell Edwards.

When the league first convened in the summer of 1999, Long was the second youngest. Now he’s 58 and the oldest.

“Of the coaches when this league started, I’m the only one still here. I don’t know if that’s a good sign or a bad sign,” Long said. “I remember the first meeting John Robinson was there, LaVell Edwards was there, Sonny Lubick, Fisher DeBerry. I thought that group of coaches, that’s a great group.”

He also admitted to thoughts of “what am I doing here with these guys?”

Long might be the most under-appreciated coach in this league or any other. New Mexico has upgraded facilities, recruiting, scheduling and its record under Long’s watch. Going into his 11th season, he’s in contract renegotiations. After just one season with 24 wins and no NCAA bid, Lobos basketball coach Steve Alford was handed a three-year extension.